Automobile lift



Dec. 1, 1931.

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E. W. HOLMES AUTOMOBILE LIFT Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Oct. 7, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 E r1105! J14 1167mm E. W. HOLMES AUTOMOBILE LIFT Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Oct. '7. 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 E. W. HOLMES AUTOMOBILE LIFT Dec. 1, 1931.

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AUTOMOBILE LIFT Filed Oct. 7, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 :4 H n m l a 15 H I H i: wI H Fig P" P1 A 5 I l Sylvan Cow Patented Dec. 1, 1931 iTEn v,s'ratres PATENT @"OFFIfJJE EV. HOLMES, OF GHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO ERNEST HOLMES COMPANY, OF CHAT'IANOOGA, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OFTENNESSEE AUTOMOBILE LIFT Application filed October 7,1927;

; The;present invention relates to auto lifts nand more especially to those of the class gear; and the mechanisms at its under side are rendered conveniently accessible for 1nspection, lubrication, adjustment or repair.

The present invention provides a novel and improved auto liftof this class whereby-all of the -operative parts or mechanisms thereof are-aeconnnodated within the road clearance ,offany conventionaltype of automobile, so

l t-hat it willjofler no obstruction to the placing of an automobileabove it to be lifted or to .12 theremoval of an automobile therefrom after it has been lowered, and the lift, when raised,

;. isjcapableof elevating anvautomobile to a 1 sufli-cient height above the floor. to, enable workmen to walk or stand beneath it, as well .asof elevating an automobile to any desired intermediate height, and these results are ac- I =1Theeonstruction of the lift is such that it wpossessesample strength, rigidity and sta- -bility to. insure. safety to the workmen and voperate to raise and lower it, eachmastor .;column comprising a pairuof half, columns or column sections each composed'of a seriesthe automobile when the latter is elevated. -LMorenparticularly, the auto lift, according I to the present invention, embodies a-pair of masts or columns which carrya frame and of hinged blocks or links, the blocks comprising each column section lying horizontally andbeing accommodated compactly in the base of the lift-while the frame is lowered and extending in upright position from the base and inparallelism while the frame is raised, the blocks ofeach pair of column-= sections bein rovided with means erative automatically, as the blocks move into upright parallel position, to lock the two column sections firmly and rigidly together to form a-substantiallyf solid andrigid mast which Willinsure-great strength and stability of thestructure-when elevated, and the blocks composing the column sections are so Serial No. 1224,657.

guided, controlled. and operated,,duri ng raising and lowering of the frame, as to insure positive locking and unlocking of the blocks of the vadjacent columnsections and, steady raising and lowering motion of the frame and its load.

To these-and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the

features of-novclty being pointed out particularly inthe claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 and 1 show collectively in side elevation an auto lift constructed in accordance with the preferred embodimentiofthe invention;

Figures 2 and 2 show collectively in top plan the auto lift shown in Figures 1 and l; Figure 3 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale, with-portions thereof insection, the column sections which form the lift-- ing mast at one end of the lift, and the operating mechanism for the column sections, the latter being shown elevated inthis figure; I

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the opposite end of: the lift and showing the column sections at that end of the lift in-lowered position;

Figure 5 represents on an enlargedscalc, a section taken vertically through the lift, showingone of the mastspartly broken away and, in Y elevated position Figure 6 represents a-sectiontaken hori- Zontally through oneof the masts, illustrating one end of the base and the operating and guiding means for the column sections which form one of the masts;

1 Figure 7 is a,view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section,illustrating the in terlocking means between the blocks of the component column sections and the mechanism for raising and lowering the column sections;

"Figure 8 is an elevation of a portion of one of the masts, showing the gearing between the blocks ofthe component column sections'for controlling the pivoting move- I a? v ments of the blocks and for locking. the col umn sections against side slip when elevated;

Figure 9 1s a perspective view representiiig a section taken, vertically through the adjacent blocks ofthe component column sections of oneof the masts, illustrating in vdetailthe inter-lock between the blocks of the adjacent column sections; Figure 10 representsa ,sectiontakei in the plane of the pivots or liiiigeswhich connect the adjacent blocks of one of the column sections, this figure illustrating iii-detail the construction of the pivots or hinges;

Figure 11 represents on an enlarged scale a section through the yokewhich comprises partof' the operating mechanism forone of the; column sections, the section being. taken on the line 11'11 ofFigure 6;

Figure 12-represents on an enlarged scale a section taken on the line 12- 12 of Fig ure '6; V

Figure l3 -represents ,a horizontal section taken on the line 1313'of Figure 12; and

Figure leis a detail view, showing a portion'of the actuating screw, and one of the actuating nuts and its cooperative safety'nut.

"Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

The present invention is applicable to auto .lifts and other appliances adapted for use in the lifting and elevating of automobiles and other vehicles and objects, it being more par ticularly applicable however to auto lifts of. *the' class adapted to lift automobiles bodily to a height which-enables them to be inspected, lubricated, adjusted or repaired,- thus obviating the necessity of using a. pit

as has been previously required for these purposes, and thereby avoiding the d sadvantages of a pit. Thep'refei'red embodilnelltfif the invention is shown in theaceom panying drawings and will behereinafter. described in detail but'it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the pre structions are contemplated aiidsuch will be included within the scope of the claims.

The auto lift shown in the present instance comprises generally a base l, which is constructed to rest flatwise on the surface of a concrete or other floor, a frame 2 which isadapted to receive the automobile or other.

vehicle thereon, and a pair of masts 3 the components of which are contained within the base when lowered and are'extended up-.

wardly from the base to form the masts and to elevate the frame carried by the upper ends of the masts.

" Y The-basal isof a length which is prefer.-

ably greater than that of. an automobile,and

it comprises a central or body portion 4. whichis adapted to house the column sections which form the masts, when the latter are of the central automobile is rolled or driven into position above the base. In order to facilitate the placing of an automobile into position above the base, the entrance ends of the guard rails preferably converge as at 6. These ends of the guard rails may be fixed to the sides of the body portion 4 of the base, these convrgent portions of the guard rails'serviiig to direct or steer the wheels of; an automobile so that the latter will assume a transversely centralized position as it is rolled or driven into pos ion above the base. The

other portions of the guardrails are preferably parallel and are secured rigidly to the respective sides of thecentra-lportion i of the'base by spacing members 7. The rigid mounting of the guard rails at opposite sides or body portion 4 'of the base increases the effective width of the base resting on the floor, thereby increasingthe lateral stability of the lift when the latter is raised andsupports an automobile in elevated position thereon; r

In order to facilitate the placingof an autoiiiobil-e longitudinally of the lift, Chocks 8, preferably in the form of reversely inclined plates, are suitably fixed to the outer sidesof the parallel portions of the guard rails so that the front wheels of an automobile may ride over these checks and the rear wheels of the automobile may come to rest against thennthe movement of the automobile into position above the'base being thus arrested at the proper point to insure proper V r V engagementof' the frame 2 with the under 7 cise coiistructionshown as equivalent con-- side of the runnin gear ofthe automobile.

Ihe masts 3 a air. of which. is emnlo ed v are housed within the respective ends of the hase when the: frame 2 is in. lowered posijtion, the frame 2 then occupying a-position at or near the level of the top of the base so thatit offers no obstruction to theplacing of an automobile above the base or its removal therefrom, and-the masts are seconstructed and operative that theyriseperpendicul'arly from the respective ends of-the base ,andin so doing they elevate the frame 2 and the automobile placed in position above-it while the frame is in its lowered position. The masts at'the respective ends of the liftare of substantially duplicate constructioii,.so thata detailed description of one of the masts will suffice for both. Each mast comprises a pair of half columns or column sections 9 and 10,311d-Qfi0l1-QOlUiYiD section comprises a seriesof blocks 'or linlrs 11 which are hinged together or pivotally are'so arranged that they will occupy positions at the outer or remote sides of the mast when'the column sections are extended, and

-when the'column sections are lowered and housed within the base, these pivots will be arranged along the upper edges'of the column-se-ctions so that the column sections may diverge horizontally at the base of the -mas-t and maybe moved in opposlte directlon'sinthe base during lowermg of the mast and housingof thecolumn' sections inthe -base.' The blocksor links composing each 'column' section are preferably formed of sheet or-plate metal of appropriate thickform sothat each block or link will comblocks-or links'of the column sections, when the latter are extended to form the mast,

abutting fiatwise and solidly against one another-,and the side walls 14: receiving the -pivots '12. {Preferably the blocks or links are of two different widths, the blocks or links of different widths alternating in the length of each column section so that the side walls '14 of the wider blocks or links will overlap the outer sides of the side walls of the narrower blocks, and the pivots 12 extend through these-overlapping portions of the blocks, and the wider blocks are also cr blocks being staggeredinthe-two column Means" is provided for'positive'lv and riglally interlocking the blocks or links composing the column sections when the latter are raisedor extended to form the mast,

whereby a mast which is substantially solid and free of lost motion or shake will be pro- M'duced; Preferably and as shown in the present instance, the alternating narrower and deeper block or link ofeach column section is formed with tongues 15 which are continuations ofthe upper and lower ends of its intermediate wall 13, and the blocks or-links formed with these tongues in one column section are opposite to the shallower 1 blocks or links of the other column section which are without such tongues.

The

-tongues on the blocks or links in the two column sections which cooperate are bent 'orinclined relatively to the wall 13 to insure the proper lapping-of these tongues as the I blocks swing into position to form the mast and to cause close contact of the tongues.

This formation and arrangement of the (i5 tonguesenable'sthe tongues on the blocks or links of the two column sections to-move or slide into and out of overlapping relationship during the relative pivoting movements of the blocks composing the column sections, which takes place at the base of the mast during raising and lowering thereof, but when the column sections are raised, the tongues carried by the blocks or links of the two column sections move into overlapping relationship and they act to draw the twocolumn sections toward one another and to positively and immovably lock them together to form in effect a rigid solid mast wherein relative motion between the columns or the blocks or links composing them precluded. The locking tongues not only overlap one another but the overlapping tongues of the blocks or links of the two column sections lie between the interme diate walls 13 of the adjacent blocks or links which are without tongues, so that the intermediate wall 13 of each block or link provided with the locking tongues is firmly bound and locked between the intermediate walls 18 of the blocks or links which are without tongues, the resulting confinement of the blocks having the tongues assisting in locking together the column sections so that relative lateral displacement thereof or lost motion between the blocks or links composing the column sections cannot take place. The overlapping relationship of the ends of adjacent links precludes interference with the pivoting movements of the links during erection thereof in alinement, as the over-' lapped ends of the links will shear any foreign matter or objects that n'iight lodge between them, and such interference is further avoided by the gaps between the ends of the links, as shown.

In order to properly control the pivoting movements of the blocks or links of the column sect-ions while the latter are being raised and lowered and to further increase the rigidity and stability of the mast formed by the column sections when raised or extended, the directly opposite blocks or links of the column sections are provided with gear segments 16 which are bolted or otherwise lined to the sides thereof so that these gear ments mesh in pairs, the gear segments being concentric with the respective pivots 12 about which the blocks or links to which they are fixed swing. The meshing of the gear segments of the directly opposite blocks or links of the column sections, while the latter are raised or extended lock the column sections against relative longitudinal displace ment, and the gear segments of the two col umn sections cooperating in the region where the column sections change their direction of motion from horizontal to vertical during raising thereof or from vertical to horizontal during lowering thereof, insure equal swing of the blocks or links of the two columns about their pivots, thereby providing a firm support for the mast at its base which will iare preferably composed of channel irons ;.inner,sides of the longitudinal members comprising the bodyportion a, the pivots l2v which are bolted or otherwise secured to the joining the blocks or links of each column section having rollers 18 fixed on their ends and being of a diameter to travel between the upper and lower inwardly directed fianges'of these channel irons. The pivots 12 are preferably fitted revolubly in sleeves 19 which are expanded or otherwise fixed in the side walls 14' of the wider blocks or links, and the sleeves 19 are rotatably fitted in sleeves 20- the ends of Whichare expanded,

or otherwise fixed in the side walls 14 of the narrower Fig. 10., 'Each columnsection of each mast preferably comprises'two series of pivotallyconnectcdblocks or links, aswillbe clear from Figure 5, the 'twe series'of blocks or,

links composing each column section being connected by the pivots 12. Each column section thus constitutedis received when lowered between the longitudinal side members'of the body l of the base and the rollers 18 on the ends of the pivots 12 will engage in. the tracks or rails 17 and thereby support the column sections at a given horizontal level while they are travelling longitudinally within the base, incidentto the raising and lowering of the mast. V

in order to guide the blocks or links of the column sections while they are passing out ofor entering the base and to provide a firm support for the mas formed bythe raised column sections, a bracket 21 is bolted or otherwise fixed on each longitudinal side member of the body portion 4 of the base,

these brackets being of duplicate construe tio'n. j Each bracket has a pair of curved tracks or channels 22 which are continuations of the horizontal tracks or channels 17 so that these curved tracks or channels will receive the rollers on the pivots of the respec tive column sections, and will cause the blocks orlinks composing them to swing upwardly and assemble properly to form the mast while the column sections are being forced from the base, and these curved tracks or channels will cause the blocks or links to diverge into opposite horizontal paths so that the column sections will be properly returned to the base ,during lowering of the mast. lycurved tracks or channels 22 of these brack- The oppositeblocks or links as is shownrin ets preferably extend sufii'cientlyhigh to engage the rollers 18 on the pivots of the lowermost blocks or links when the mast is extended to its maximum height, the supports thus afforded the base of the mast preventing rocking ortilting motion of the mast in a direction longitudinally of the base.

The frame2 is connected to the tops of the masts by the pivots 12 which arecarried by the 1 uppermost links, this framepreferably comprising a pair of longitudinal members 2 which are spaced apart a distance greater than the-width of the central or body portion :4 of the base so that when the frame is in its fully lowered position, its longitudinal side members willextend partially belowv the top of the base, thus providing ample clearance above the lift'to avoid interference between the frame 2 and any part ofthe automobile while the latter is being brought into or removed from a position above the lift.

The longitudinal members 2 of the frame 2,

when the latter is lifted,are adapted to engage the under side of the front axle of the automobile, and the opposite end of the frame 2 is preferably adapted to engage the under side of the differential housing of the rear axle of the automobile, for which purpose cro'ss bars 2 are extended across the width of the frame 2 in addition to the pivots 12 to provide a grid or platform, as is shown in Figure 2 on which the differential housing may rest. v

The construction and mode of operation of the column sections comprising the masts 3 at both ends of the lift are substantially the same, but in order to eliminate end shake of the frame 2, due to tipping of the upper ends of the masts in a direction longitudinally of the base while the column sections arebeing forced out of the base, due to the simultaneous passing of therollers 18 ffrom the brackets 21 at the, bases of both masts, it is preferable to provide half length blocks or links 9 and 10? at the upper end ofone of the masts and similar half length blocks or links at the lower end'of the other mast, as

will be understood from a comparison of Fig-V nres l'and'l this alternating arrangement 1 of half length blocks or links causingthe roll- .ers 18 on the column sections of the different masts to disengage from the brackets 21 alternately or at different times so that while each bracket 21 is preferably provided with a pair of spaced vertical flanges 23, and the frame 2 is provided with a set of tongues 24;, one, of which is movable vertically between the flanges 23 on each bracket,the frame 2 being thereby guided to move vertically during itsv initial upward movement. from the base audits final descendingmovemcnt which bringsit torest on thebase.

The columnsectionsare simultaneously operated to raise and; lower both ends "of the frame 2by appropriate mechanism-contained in the. base. Preferably a screw which is composed of two sections keyed or splined at their inner ends withina sleeve 125 so that the shaftsections will revolve in unison but will be capable of independent endwisemovement in either direction, is employed for this purpose, the outer ends of the screw sections being: journalled; in bearings 26. and 27 mounted in the endsof the body portion 4 of thebase and theintermediate portion thereof being supportedv by additional bearings 28 and 30 which arefixed in rigid cross members 31, 33. which connect and are secured to the longitudinal side members of thebody portion 4,.thesleeve 1:25. coupling the inner ends ofthe screw sectionsfbeing journaled in a centralbearing 29-supported by a rigid cross member 32.. The. screw may be revolved inv one direction to raise the frame 2 and inan opposite directlon to lowersaid frameby an electric, motor 34, which is provided with suitable switch means for operating. it reversibly the motor shaft being connected to the screw 25 by suitable. reduction. gearing which; is connected. to. a gear 36 fixed on one end. ofv the screw.

The screw. section at each. side of :the central cross; member 32, is formed with right and left hand threaded portions 25? and25", these threaded portions occupying positions at opposite sides of the respective cross memv hers31. and 33, these cross members being located. substantially in the central vertical planesof the respective masts.

The. right and left hand portions of the screw sections areutilizedto operate the respective pairsof-column sections 9 and 10 so thatboth masts 3will. beraised andlowered simultaneously andzevenly. For this purpose the column sections-9 and 10 of each. mast are connected-respectively to apair of yokes 37 and 38, through themedium of links 39 which are 7 pivotally connected to the lowermost pivots 12 of the bottom links and stub shafts 40 which are. fixed to and project in alinement from, opposite ends of the respectiveyol'zes. The 3'9 arev provided with segments 41 which arc concentric withthe axes of the respective shafts 4'0, and these segments are arranged to travel along and to bear or rest on iuturned, horizontal flanges 4 which extend inwardly from the'lo'wer edges of the longitudinal membersoftlie body 4 of the base.

The yokes 37 and 38 are arranged totravel simultaneously but in opposite directions longitudinally within the base, under the action of the right and'left hand screw sections 25 and 25 respectively. Each yoke is operatively connected to its respective screw section by a nut or sleeve 42 which is internally threaded to conform with the respective screw section and is preferably split diametrically to facilitate its mounting on and removal from the screw, the split sections or halves of the nut being clamped together solidly on the screw by bolts 43. The nut or sleeve is housed within a chamber 44 which is formed in the central portion. of the respective yoke, and one end ofthe nut or sleeve is formed with a flange 45 the end surface 46 of which is preferably approximately spherical, this end surface bearing'against a seat 47 which is formed in the yoke at the end of the chamber 44 which is toward the respective mast the flange 45 and seat 47 sustaining the thrust transmitted between the screw and the respective column section due to the weight of and the load on the latter, the spherical bearing between the nut and its respective yoke allowing equalizing motion of the yoke without causing binding of the nut on the screw. The chamber 44 in the yoke which contains the nut or threaded sleeve and the periphery of the flange 45 are rectangular or otherwise angular in cross section, as is shown in Figure 12 whereby rotation of the nut within the yoke is prevented. Means is preferably provided for supplying oil or other lubricant to the screw to reduce friction and wear between the screw and nut. Preferably, the upper portion ofthe nut or sleeve is formed with. a transverse recess 48 which exposes the upper side of thescrew, andan oil ring 49 is mounted in this recess so that it will ride on the screw as. the latter revolves. An oil pan or receptacle 50 is attached to the under side of the yoke beneath the chamber 44 therein this oil pan containing a bath of oil, and the oil ring 49dips'into the oil and the rotation of the oil ring incident to the revolving motion of the screw carries oil to the screw. The transverse recess in the nut also exposes the threads in the nut so that the extent of wear ofthese threads may be readily determined by inspection, the yokes having openings 37 and 38 above the recesses in the respective nuts so that the condition of the nuts may be determined without the necessity of removing'them from the yokes.

Preferably each nut or threaded sleeve is capable of limited axial movement within the chamber 44 of its yokein a direction to carry the abutment flange 45 of the nut out of engagement'with the seat 47 of the yoke, the purpose of this movement being to compensate for over motion of the screw, due to the momentum of the electric motor after the column sections have reached their fully lowered positions and the electric current operating the motor has been cut off; Such motion of'the nut or sleeve however is preferably opposed or resisted by a compression spring. .51 which is interposed between a flange'SQ on the'nut andthe rear wall '53 of thelyoke,this spring always acting infladirection to move'the nut or sleeve in a direc-' tion to maintain the; abutment flange, 45v thereof in engagement withthe seat 4;? of the yoke. The yokes' 37 and 38 connected to the column sections 9 and 10 of each mast and.

tion of the screw in onedirection willcause the yokes totravel longitudinally within the base in a direction toward one another and the yokes-,will thus act to force the column sections toward one another and then up-- wardly iduring whichioperation, and the blocks, or links 'of the column sections will interlockas they are assembled. to form the respective upright mast. V During the travel'of the column forming links longitudinally within the base they are supported by, the tracks or rails ,17 along which the rollers 18 travelrand asthe column sections approach their fully extended raised positions, at which time the yokes 37 and .88 areincloseproximity to one another, the

links 39 which connect them to therespective column sections deflect upwardly at relatively sharp anglesto the axis of the screw, the

* segments 411on-thelinks 39 bear or rest on the inturned flanges 4;, of the base and thereby relieve the screw of theweight of the column sections and load thereon which would otherwise be imposed upon itQfWYhen thescrew is revolved in anv opp osite direction,the yokes are shifted longitudinally of the base in a direction away from one another, and the column sections are thereby lowered and withdrawn into the base, the links therer, of being supported during their travel within the base by the rails 17 which receive the rollers 18. The end thrust exerted on the screw by one yoke will be equal and opposite to that exerted; on the screw by theaother 'yoke of the same pair, so that the screw. is notirequired to sustain any resultantend thrust of the column sections constituting thev mast'and the weight imposed thereon.

l DU

A safety deviceis preferably provided for sustainingthe load on either of the column sections of each mast inthe evei'itlth e threads ofthe-nut which raises and lowers it strip,

and cooperative means is preferably provided for automatically stopping the elevating operationshould a nut strip while such opera: tion is taking place although allowing the masts to be lowered so that an automobile su ported the lift maybe removed therefrom; Preferably, an auxiliary or' safety nut 42*, compos'edcf steel orother strong metal,- is threaded on the screw 25 behind each'nut 42, it beingfnorma'lly spaced axially from the reariendof the respective screw for adista-nce, for example,fo'f one thread, and the auxiliary nut is held non-rotatably while the screw revolves idly within, it, by lugs 4:2 which pro; j ectirearw'ardly froin'the' nut 42 and engage in recesses 42 in the adjacent end of the auxiliary nut, or by any equivalent means whereby the auxiliary' nut will be normally spaced axially in rear ofthe 'nut l2 and the screw will revolve freely within it, but should the thread; in the nut42 strip, the consequentdisplacement of this nutalongthe screw,due to the load thereon, will bring its, rearFe'nd against the forward end of the auxiliary nut, and the latter, will then sustain the th rustof the nut rrrrdertheload thereon, and: the res'pective;colum1isection will then besupported'by the auxiliary'nut: Whilethe lost mo tio'nbetween thenut' lQ and the auxiliarynut e2? is being taken up, the "respective screw section shiftsjaxially in "itsbeari ngs to re establi sh" a balance" between the thrusts applied by the respective column sections on this screw sectiomand this axial shift of the screw section is utilized to automatically stop the el' evating "operation, should one of the nuts thereon strip while; such operation is taking place, although allowing thescrew, to be revolved in a reverse direction to lower the lift; For example, each screwgsect'ion hasa pair of brake orclutch members 54" fixed thereon at opposite sides "of the respective bearing-28m 30, these membershaving brake or clutch faces 55 which arevnormally spaced slightly from the respective sides of the bean ing and serve to prevent axial displacement of the shafts'ection, but axial shift-of the respective shaft sectioncconsequent.upon strip ping of a nut thereon, willbring one of these brake or clutch faces against the bearing and cause itto act frictionally or otherwise to resistrotati'on of the screw in a direction to elevate the lift, suchresi stance" aloneor in.

conjunctionwith the load on the lift imposing such an abnormal load on the motor which operates the screw as to bring about stalling OlYStOppageof the motor. Howeverfthe lift maybe loweredtopermit removal ofthe'automobile therefrom, by reversing the'rotation of'thescrew, the faces 5 5 being' of'a nature to permit such operation, friction faces, for ex ample, allowing the motor to rotate the screw ina direction to lower'the lift, as the weight of an automobile will assist the motor. to overco1ne'.the frictional resistance between such face and the bearing.

The operation of an autolift'constructed as hereinbefore described is briefly as follows: i i

, While the column sections are withdrawn above the grid or platform formed by the rod 2 and 12, the front axle of the automobile at this time extending crosswise above the opposite end of the frame 2. Thechock'S will serve-to assist in bringing the automobile into this position. VVhile' the automobile occupies such position, the electric motor 34 is operated to revolve the-screw 25 in a direction which will cause it to simultaneous ly shift the column sections 9 and 10 of both- ..masts in a direction longitudinally of the frame, the column sections of each pair moving toward one another and then moving upwardly under the eam'action of the curved tracks in the'brackets 21, and while the direction of movement of the column sections is changing from'the horizontal to the vertical, the blocks or links composing the sections become automatically interlocked in the manner hereinbefore described. The ascending col- .umn sections travel vertically in parallelism and their'upward motion may be continued until the masts supporting the ends of the frame 2have'be'en extended to their maximum height. The initial operation of the column sections as they are forced out of the base raises th'eframe 2 until it comes into engage ment with the front axle and differential housing of the automobile positioned above it, and the continued rise of the frame 2 under the action of the column sections causes it to lift the'afutomobile bodily from the floor. If the column sections are extended fully, the automobile will be lifted to a height above the floor which will enable workmen to walk or stand beneath the automobile and may thus'inspect, lubricate, adjust or' repair it with facility. In some cases it may be lesirable to' elevate the automobile to a less height, and it will be understood that the 'aising operation may be interrupted by stopping the electric motor as soon as the automobile reaches the height desired. The automobile is lowered by simply operating the electric motor in an oppositedirection, the screw then acting to lowerthe column se tions and to draw them within the base, the current supplied to the motor being interrupted as soon as the column sections have been fully lowered and drawn into the base. The frame 2 is then brought into its lowermost position in close proximity tothe' top of the base, and the automobile may be driven or rolled from position above the lift:

The present invention enables an auto lift to be provided which is of minimum height abovethe floor so that an automobile may be removed therefrom, without the'flo'or level to a height which will enable workmen to obtain easy access to all parts of the automobile exposed at its under side, and the-base of the lift is sufficiently wide to ail'ord ample lateral stability thereof while it supports an automobile in elevated positions The interlocking of the column sections constituting each mast insures great strength, rigidity and solidity of the masts so that they willbe stable and free from shake or vibration while elevated, and the means provided for guidingthe blocks or links of the column sections during raising and lowering thereof insures an even and steady rising and lowering movement of the frame and an automobile resting thereon.

YVhile the uppermost links of the masts, which are-pivotally connected to the lifting frame 'as described, are preferably used without gear segments such as those which connect the other pairs of links of the masts and assist in rendering them rigid when erected,

these uppermost links will be eiieetively locked so that pivotal movements cannot take place between them and the lifting frame while'these uppermost links are in upright or erected position, since they will be firmly drawn together and rigidly locked against pivotal movements relatively to one another and to the lifting frame by the respective next lower pairs of links as the latter move into interlocked relationship incident to the erection of the masts, and hence endwi'se displacement of the lifting frame will be prevented by the rigid or non-pivotal connections thus established between the frame and the upper ends of the masts, and this rigid relationship between the frame and the upper ends of the masts will assist the means supporting the lower ends of the masts in maintaining the stability thereof when par-' tially or wholly erected.

All of the operative parts of the lift are housed within the base while the lift is in its normal lowered condition, and the lifting frame then occupies a position about level .vith the top of the base, the entire lift being self-contained. It is therefore portable and capable of being shipped with facility, and when placed on a floor it is ready for use, no special installation being required.

It is-to be understood that while the in vention is herein shown and described as applied to an auto lift of the type adapted to raise an automobile or the like bodily, the

invention, in whole or in part. may be applied to lifting and similar devices of other types, and such applications of the invention will be included, Within the scope of the claims. 7 v

I claim as my invention 1. A lifting device comprising column sec-' 'tions each composedof a series of links of channel form-pivotally connected at the ends of their side walls and having fiat intermediate walls, means for bringing said sections into parallel abutting relationship with theflat intermediate Walls of the links thereof in flatwise engagement to form a-mast, and

tongues'projecting from the ends of the flat intermediate walls of certain of the links of said sections, said tongues cooperating to lock' the column sections in abutting relationship. I

2. A lifting device comprising column sections each composed of a series of pivotally connected links, means for bringing said See- Z tiOIiS into parallel mutually supporting rela tions each composed of a series of-pivotally connected-links, means for bringing sa1dsec-- tioiis into parallel abutting relationship to form a mast, means connecting the corresponding links ofsaid sections for equalizing the pivoting movements thereof, and means oncertain links of said sections movfable during the relative pivoting movements thereof into cooperation to lock the column,

sections in abutting relationship.

5. A lifting device comprising a pair of column sections each composed of a series of pivotally connected links, means for bring-- ing said sections into parallel relationship with the ends of the adjacent links of eachsectionin longitudinally spaced relation to form a mast, and means connecting the corresponding links of said sections to equalize thepivoting movements thereof and to lock them against relative displacement While they are in parallel relationship.-

6.,i-?i lifting device comprising apa r of column sections e ':h composed of a series of pivotally connected links, means for bringing said sections into parallel relationship to form mast, and means connecting opposed links of said sections to lock them against relative longitudinal displacement while they are in parallel relationship and to equalize concurrent-pivoting movements of said opnosed links while the are bein brou ht into l .7 2: k: such relationship.

7. A'liftin device coin risin a Jair of v 23 D column sections each composed ofa series of pivotally connected links, meansv for bringingsa-id sections into parallel abutting relationship to form a. mast, and pairs of interineshing gear means carried by the correspondinglinks' of said sections coaxially of the pivots thereof, V r

8. A lifting device comprising a base, a pair of column sections each coinposed'of a, series of pivotally connected links, means in the base for guidii ig. said sections for movement longitudinally in opposite directions therein, an actuating member extending longitudinally in the base and connected to the ends of the colunin sections, said member being operative to force the column sections simultaneously but in opposite directions longitudinah ly in the base, and means for guiding said sections to move upwardly from the base into parallel abutting relationship to form an upright niast. i i

9. A lifting device comprising a base, a

pair of column sections each composed of a seriesof pivotally connected links, means for guidingsaid sections to move longitudinally in opposite directions inthe base, meansfoi' Y directing sa d sections upwardly f 'omcthe baseand into parallel relationship to form a inast,:aiid an actuatingscrew mounted in the base and operatively connected to the ends of r the column sections. 1

10. A lifting device comprising a base, a pair of colunin sections each composed of a series ofpivotally connected links, means in the base for, guidingthe lower ends of said sections to move longitudinally in opposite directions therein and for directingsaidsectionsto move upwardly from the base into parallel relationshipto form an upright mast, and a screw rcvolubly mountedinvthe base and havingt-hreadsofopposite pitch thereon cooperative with the ends of the respective column sectionl i 1 11. A lifting device comprising a base, a

pair of column sections each composed. of a pair of laterally-spaced series ofpivotally connected links, means in the base for guid:

ving said sections to move loiigitiidinally therein, means'for directing said sections upwardly from the base into parallel upright relation ship to form a mast, yokes connected to the lower ends of the respective pairs of's'eries of links of the column sections, and a screw mounted in the base and having portions thereof operative on the respective yokcswhereby rotation of said screw will, cause the column sections to move simultaneously but. in opposite directions. I r

12. A lifting device comprising a base, a

pair of column sections each composed of a series of pivotally connected elements, rails extendinglongitudinally Within thebase and cooperative with the column sections for supporting and guid ng them, means connecting the lower ends of the column sections for forcing said column sections longitudinally of the base and in directions toward one another, and cam means arranged to receive the elements of the column sections from said rails and operative to direct said elements upwardly into parallel upright relationship.

13. A lifting device comprising a pair of column sections each composed of a pair of series of pivotally connected links, means for directing said sections into parallel upright relationship, a yoke connected to the lower ends ofthepair of series of links composing each column section, and means connecting the yokes for actuating the yokes in relatively opposite directions.

14. A lifting device comprisin a pair of endwise movable members each composed of a series of pivotally connected elements, means for directing said members from substantially horizontal into upright position, a screw, and means operatively connecting said screw to the respective members whereby rotation of the screw will move said members in an endwise direction to raise or lower them and the screw will sustain said members substantially without end thrust.

15. A lifting device comprising a pair of column sections each composed of a series of pivotally connected elements, means for directing said sections into upright relationship, a yoke connected to the lower end of each column section, a nut mounted in each yoke and having a limited movement axially therein, and an actuating screw having threaded portions cooperative respectively with the nuts in said yokes.

16. A lifting device including a lifting element, a horizontal actuating screw therefor, athreaded nut engaging the screw for elevating the lifting element, said nut having a section of its upper side removed near its center exposing a section of the contained screw, and an oil ring engaging the sect on of the screw exposed by said removed section bf the nut.

17. A lifting device comprising a pair of lifting members, a screw and cooperative nuts for actuating said members in unison, auxiliary nuts on the screw normally spaced axialfly from the first mentioned nuts but each adapted to be engaged by the respective first mentioned nut to sustain the load on the latter, and means operative by endwise movement of the screw consequent upon the movement of one of the first mentioned nuts into engagement with its respective auxiliary nut, for opposing operation of the screw tolift said members.

18. A lifting device comprising cooperative lifting members, a screw and cooperative nuts connected to said members for actuating them, auxiliary nuts on said screw behind and normally spaced axially from the respec tive nuts first mentioned but adapted to be engaged by the latter in consequence of endwise displacement thereof along the screw, a relatively fixed member, and stopping members fixed on the screw and normally inactive at opposite sides of said fixed member, one or the other of said stopping members being movable into cooperation with said fixed member by axial movement of the screw consequent upon the engagement of one of the first mentioned nuts with the respective auxiliary nut.

19. An automobile lift comprising a base, a pair of masts each embodying a pair of colnnm sections, each column section being composed of a series of pivotally connected elements, means for supporting and guiding the lower ends of the column sections to move longitudinally in the base, brackets cooperative with the pivots of the column sections to direct the respective column sections upwardly from the base and into upright paral lel relationship to form the masts when the column sections are moved endwise and means for actuating the column sections, the pivots connecting the elements composing one pair of column sectionsbe ing staggered longitudinally thereof relatively to the pivots of the other column sections whereby the pivots of the two pairs of column sections will alternately traverse their respective brackets.

20. A lifting device comprising a base, column sections each embodying a pair of series of pivotally connected elements, means in the base for supporting and guiding said sections to move endwise therein, a yoke connected to the ends of the series of elements constituting each column section, each yoke having a chamber therein and an abutment wall at an end thereof, a nut contained in the chamber of each yoke and abutting against said abutment wall, a screw having portions cooperative with the nuts in the yokes for moving the column sections endwise in opposite directions, and means for directing the column sections upwardly from the base into juxta position to form an upright mast.

21. A column member for a lifting device comprising a plurality of pivotally connected elements, the ends of ad acent elements being in non-abutting relation when said elements are in ali nment and having portions thereof in lapped relation and engaged by the connecting pivots.

22. A lifting device comprising a pair of column sections having means for moving them simultaneously endwise and for guiding them into parallel abutting relationship to form a mast, each column section comprising a series of links each of channel form, the intermediate walls of the links of the columns abutting one another and the side walls of adjacent links in each column lapping, and pivots extending through the lapping portions of adjacent links.

23. A column section for a lifting device comprising a series of links each of channel form, adjacent links of -the series being of different Widths so that their side Walls overlap, and sleeves connecting-the side-Walls of the links, the sleeve of the narrower links fitting jrotatably over the sleeves of the wider links. 7 V

524. An automobile liftcomprising a'base, an elongated lifting frame adapted to re= 'ceive an automobile above it and to rise from the base, a pair of masts each composed of a pair; of column sections embodying pivotally connected links and movable endwise upwardly from the bas'e'into parallel abutting relationship to lift said frame; the upper most links ofthe Column sections of the respective masts beinggpivotally connected; to

the frame" at longitudinally spaced pointsto- Ward its respective ends, and means operative to lock the uppermost links of the masts against pivotaln'iovement relatively to said frame after said links have been brought into erect position.

In testimony Whereofl have hereunto set my hand. i r

J i "ERNEST W. HOLMES." 

